Ironing table



J. WALLERSTEIN IRONING TABLE Filed June 24, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

July I, 1930. r J. WALLE RQZ TEIN 1,768,724

momma mans I Filed June 24, 1926 2 snats-sheet 2 I l l Patented July 1, 1930 JOHN wALLERsTnIn,

on NEW roan,- a. Y.

momma TABLE Application filed June 24,

This invention relates to ironing tables and in particular to a table adapted to be expanded to completely fill out a garment, such as a shirt or the like, which is to be ironed.

h. particular object of the invention is to provide an ironing table whichcan be tilted up at one end for the removal or the positioning of a shirt or garment thereover which is to be pressed or ironed by hand in the usual 1 manner.

Aiurther object ofthe' invention is to provide an ironing table which may be operated for expansion or contraction sidewise to vary the width thereof so that a garmentcan be completely filled out preparatory to ironing the same. e A further particular object of the invention is to provide an ironing table which may be revolved so that both sides of the garment may be ironed withoutthe necessity of removingthe same from the ironing board or table, there being incorporated in the table, means for suitably raising one end thereof so that the garmentfmay be slipped thereover preparatory to ironing. l

A further particular object of the invention is to embody mechanism within the iron ing board or table which will act to widen the ironing table so that'a garment is completely filled out and may be ironed first on one side and then by revolving the table, ironedon the opposite side, means being also incorporated whereby expansion or'contraction of the table will not efiect the evenness of the surface thereor" so that the ironing operation may be carried out in its entirety to perfectly iron the garment without removing the same from the ironing table, v

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention that they may embody thesame in the various modifications in structure and relation contemplated, a drawingdepicting a preferred form has been annexed as a part of this disclosure and in such drawing, similiar reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout allthe views, of which,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly'in section, showing the construction of my i-mproved ironing table, the position of the same 1926., Serial No; 118,276.

when in tilted position ready to receive gar ment to be ironed, being shown in outline; Figure 2 is atop plan view in section, the section being taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing the arrangement of my blanket holding member and alsothe board expanding and contracting members which operate to adjust the size of the board widthwise and also showing how the board is positioned in thesuitable standards. a 7

igure 3 is a section taken on the line 3+3 of Figure Zand showing in greatlyenlarged detail, the mechanism for varying the width of the ironingtable part and also for revolving the table and allowing the same to be drawn up to the outline position for removal or reception of a garment to be pressed.

Figure at is a section taken on the line 4% ofFigure. l and shows the positioning of the ironing" board on the board holding standards or frame together with the position of the covers or biankets which are commonly used in connection with ironing boards to present a smooth surface beneath the article. to be pressed. v p I Figure 5 is a section on'the line5'5 of Figure 1 showing the table expanding gears and racks associated therewith through manipulation of which the width of the table is varied to accommodate any size garment passed thereover', preparatory to the pressing of the same. Y

Figure 6- is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1 showing the attachment of the blanket holding members or lazy-tongs in position to accommodate the blanket to the widening or narrowing of the table to suit the particular garment tobe pressed.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the spring for normally causing a closing movement of the lazy tongs whichallow even contraction and expansion of the ends of the blanket which covers the ironing board, and

Figure 8 is an enlargeddetail in section showing the connection of the lazy-tongs which connect the blanket ends to a suitable fixed point on the operating shaft.

Referring to the drawings in detail 5 indicates thestandards which go to make up my improved machine, the same being ]01Ild by a suitable brace 6 and being provided with feet 7 which are secured in any suitable manner to the floor upon which the ironing table is mounted. The upper ends of the standard 5 are adapted to receive the operating member or main shaft of the ironing table, designated by the numeral 8, one end thereof protruding beyond one of the standards 5 and being provided with a loose fitting pivot collar member, 9, beyond Which is disposed a fixed collar 10. The collar 9 has attached to its horizontally disposed arms, the bifurcated upper end of the downwardly extending link member 11 which is pivoted at its lower end at 12 to the horizontal, operating lever 13, this lever being secured in any suitable manner to the shaft 17 and carrying an adjustable counterweight 14, which may be slid therealong to vary the balance of the table, which, as illustrated in Figure 1, may be drawn up to the dotted line position, so that a garment may be drawn thereover or removed therefrom, through the medium of the foot pedal 15, which is formed on the end of a bracket 16, which is secured to a cross shaft 17, which is journaled in suitable bearings 18, formed on the standard 5 and has secured thereto in any suitable manner the end of the lever 13. The bracket 16 is held in position on the cross shaft 17 through the medium of a suitable set screw 19 and through which the counter-shaft 17 is revolved upon a downward movement of the foot pedal 15 to P cause the downward throw of the end of the lever 13 to tilt the ironing table to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

It will be noted that the ironing boards are held in spaced relation and consist of four, longitudinally extending members 20, which are made from wood or any other suitable material and provided adjacent their ends with the slots 21, these slots being arranged to accommodate the parts 22 of the frames 23. These frames are loosely mounted upon the operating shaft 8 and are each provided with a lug 23A, there being carried in said lug a suitable counter-shaft 24, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. I

The frames 23 are disposed at both ends of the machine adjacent the standards 5 and as beforedescribed are mounted loosely upon the operating shaft 8 so that they may swing therearound. The ironing board members 20, it will be noted, are therefore slidable toward and away from each other on said frame extension 22 and are joined at their center through the medium of the metallic extensions 25' which extend longitudinally along the top of the ironing board members 20 and overlie each other, there being provided in the opposite ironing board, suitable cut-outs 26, into which said extensions 25 may operate when the parts of the board have adjustable movement toward and away from each other. It is evident that these metallic extensions cover the space between the ironing boards when the same have movement toward or away from each other and when the ironing board is covered with the suitable felt covering or blanket 27, which passes around both of the upper portions and lower portions of the ironing board, the metallic filler or extension 25 will provide for a smooth surface being presented beneath the garment to be pressed no matter in what relative position the adjusted parts of the board are in.

Some means, of course, must be provided for the adjustment of the parts of the ironing board 20 toward and away from each other and in carrying out my idea, I provide 011 each of the portions 20 of the ironing board, a suitable rack member 28, there being provided four of these racks at each end of the ironing table and so positioned that they will engage the gears 29 and 29A carried respectively on the main shaft 8 and the countershaft 24, these gears meshing so that a rotary movement imparted to the main shaft 8 will cause a rotary movement of the counter shaft 24 and suitable manipulation of the racks 28 carried by each of the ironing board parts 20 whereby these parts will be moved toward and away from each other, depend ing upon the direction of rotation of the main shaft 8. In order to provide a smooth covering for the parts of the ironing table, I pass around each of the upper and lower ortions of the table, a flexible fabric or felt blanket covering 27, before referred to, the ends of which are provided with suitable reinforcement or edge binders 30 and to each of these binders is attached suitable lazytong holding extensions 31 to the ends of which are attached the lazytong arrangement 32, one being provided for each of the blankets and being secured at its center through the medium of a suitable headed pin or rivet 33 to a loose collar 34 carried on the main operating shaft 8.

The extensions of the lazy-tongs are provided with springs 35 which tend to draw the edges of the pads or blankets toward each other, thereby presenting at all times a smooth surface on both sides of the board without regard to whether or not the parts of the ironing table or board are expanded or contracted. In order to space the lazy-tongs in suitable relation underneath the board, I have provided corner blocks 36 over which the blankets pass so that the edges thereof may be in alignment with the action of the lazy-tongs to which they are connected. It is evident that rotary movement of the shaft 8 will cause, as before described, a rotary movement of the shaft 24, whereby the gears 29 and 29A will be operated to cause the racks 28 to move toward or away from each other, depending upon the direction of rotation of the main shaft 8. It is evident that when the foot lever 15 is depressed, the

ironing board will be thrown to the position as in dotted'lines in Figure 1 at which time the garment to be pressed may be drawn thereo-ver without regard to its size. The foot. lever is then released and allows the ironing board to assume the position shown in full lines in Figure 1 after which the main shaft 8 may be operated to cause widening or narrowing of the table, depending upon the size of the garment to be pressed. This widening will fill outtthe shirtbody will permit the complete pressing of one side of the shirt and when this has. been done, the ironing board maybe revolved upon the shaft 8. until the opposite or under side is brought up to position at which time the opposite or unpressed side of'the shirt may be ironed without removing the shirt. or the board from the table. n In order to carry out this turning movement of the. table, it is necessary to provide a special mechanism adapted for the purpose and to this end, I have provided, as shown. in Fignre 3, suitable sleeve 36 on the end of the shaft 8 in that portion which is held in the standard: 5, the sleeve 36 carrying a suitable hand wheel 37 which is secured thereto through the medium of the set screw 38. This. sleeve 36" has free revolving movement upon the shaft, 8. and carries in the standard 5, another sleeve member 39 to which is suitably secured a finger carrying collar- 40",. this collar being" adjustable lengthwise of the sleeve 39 toward and away fromthe standard 5 through the medium of the set screw 41, the collar 40. carries the extended pin or arm 42 which enters: a suitable openmg or here in the frame piece 23 so that when it is ClGSlIBtliO rotate the ironing board, the

hand wheel 37 will bev drawn out, thereby drawing with it, the sleeve. 36, which, at its inner end is provided with the slot 36A into which fits the pin 37--A. This pin 37-A upon becoming disengaged from the slot 36A allows a free relative movement of the sleeve 36 with the shaft 8, so that, in its movement, it will carry with it, the collar 40 and the pin 42 to suitably revolve the frame piece 23 upon which'the parts of the table are mounted. This revolving movement of the collar 40 is caused by the teeth 38-31 which are formed on the inner end of the sleeve 36 and which engage suitable teeth cut-outs 40A in the inner end of the sleeve 40, the inner end of the sleeve 36 being extended beyond the end of the sleeve 39 to allow a space into which said teeth 38A may be drawn when the sleeve 36 is retracted as before described.

In the normal position shown in Figure 3, a revolving movement of the hand wheel will cause a revolving movement of the shaft 8 to operate the gears 29 and 29A and shaft 24 and racks 28 to cause relative movement of the parts 20 of the ironing board. However,

when rotary movement of the table is desired, I

the hand wheel is drawn out and rotated and as before described, the teeth 38A on the sleeve 36" engage the collar 40 and cause rotating movement of the framepi'ece 23. This rotating movement is accomplished in such a manner that the racks 28 and gears and shaft ed an integrally formed rim or annular member 45 on the exterior ofthe sleeve 39' against which abuts the washer 44 which is urged against 45 the coil spring 43, the space for the annular member 45 being provided by suitably cutting, out the hub portion of the standard 5', as shown in Figure 3. A suitable collar 46 is provided upon the sleeve 39,

at the outer end thereof, said collar being positioned adjacent the bearing 47 of the standard 5-, the latter being provided with suitable cut-outs 48 into which extend the fingers 49 formed on the collar 46. This collar is suitably secured as by a set screw to the sleeve 39' and in order to retain the table in its horizontal position after the same has been revolved, these fingers 49 engage the openings 48 when the hand wheel is forced back to the normal position shown in Figure 3; It is evident'that an outward pull on the hand wheel 37 will, as before described, carry with it the sleeve 39, thereby causing the collar 46- to draw away from the hub portion 47' to disengage the fingers 49 from the openings 48 said hub portion, thereby allowing revolving movement of the sleeve 3-9 and a conse q-nently revolving movement of the ironing table.

In order to allow for revolving movement of the shaft- 8 and also tilting movement thereof, I have provided in the opposite stand! ard 5-, a suitable pivot block 50", which is pro vided with'side arms 5]"; which rest in a suitable cut-outin the hub portion of the standard 5 and form the journals on which the shaft is pivotally swung. It is evident that the shaft 8 may have free revolving movement said pivoted block 50 and the block itself may have pivoted movement relative to the upper end of the standard 5, so that when the lever 11 is drawn downas before described the table maybe tilted to the posi-. tion shown in outline in Figure 1', preparatory to the removalor positioning; of a garment to be pressed. Itifs; evident that when the hand wheel is the position shown in Figure 3", a revolving; movement thereof will cause-operation of the gears andadjustment of the sid'esof'the table toward and away from each other to accommodate various size garments to be pressed.

It is also evident that I have provided an ironing table which may be tilted up to receive a garment to be pressed which may be drawn over the table and I have also provided an ironing table which may be expanded or contracted to suit the various size garments to be pressed so that they may be completely filled out and can be thoroughly pressed, first on one side, and then by revolving the table, uponthe opposite side.

In my improved ironing table, it will be seen that a slight shifting of the garment will provide for the pressing of the sides thereof after the front and back portions of the garment have been ironed.

It is also evident that I have provided an ironing table which may be instantly revolved afterone side of the garment has been pressed so that a saving of time and labor is accomplished. I have also provided an ironing table which will save a great deal of time. and which will reduce the amount of handling necessary to an ironed garment, thereby retaining the same clean and also reducing the time of ironing and the elimination of drawing the garment on to an ironing board as is common in present day practice.

It is also evident that I have provided a mechanically operable ironing table, the sides of which expand to accommodate various size garments and one which can be readily operated by the ironer, as desired.

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I realize that in practice various alterations therein may be made. I therefore reserve the right and privilege of making such changes as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. An ironing table comprising spaced frames, a plurality of pairs of spaced, ironing board members mounted on said frames, racks on said members, a shaft journaled in the frames and positioned between said members oppositely rotating rack operating ears connected with said shaft, and means or rotating said shaft whereby said gears will cause movement of said racks and members in opposite direction. 7

2. An ironing table comprising spaced boardmembers, a frame on which said members are mounted to move toward and from each other, a shaft in said frame, rack and gear connections between said shaft and said members for moving said members to increase or decrease the width of said board, a flexible cover for said table disposed about said memher and a spring operated extension member a for maintaining said cover closely about said members during their adjusting movement.

3. An ironing board comprising spaced standards, main and counter shafts, journalled in said standards, pairs of spaced ironing boards mounted on the standards, pairs of racks on the boards, oppositely rotating mutually meshing gears on the main and counter shafts, each meshing with individual pairs of racks, means for rotating the main and counter shafts whereby the gears will cause movement of the racks and boards in opposite directions, a cover disposed about said ironing board and expansible and contractible means connecting the opposite edges of each cover to maintain them taut about the ironing board.

4. An ironing table comprising spaced standards, a shaft rotatably mounted thereon, frame pieces mounted upon the shaft, pairs of board sections mounted upon the frame pieces, one pair above and the other pair below the shaft, the board sections of each pair being adjustable toward and away from each other, means actuated by rotation of the shaft for effecting adjustment of the sections of the two pairs of board sections, and one end of said shaft being removably held in one of said standards.

5. In an ironing table, table top sections, frame pieces supporting the said sections for adjustment toward and away from each other, means for adjusting said sections a cover applied over the upper sides of said sections and having its opposite edge portions positioned beneath the said sections, and means connected with the said edge portions of the cover and yieldably drawing the same toward each other to stretch the cover over the surface of the board sections.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN WALLERSTEIN. IL. s.] 

